Spark intensifier or superspark builder



Nov. 4 1924.

W. S. WITTER SPARK INTENSIFIER OR SUPERSPARK BUILDER FiledvFeb. l2 192] Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SPARK INTENSIFIER OB SUPEBSPARX BUILDER.

Application led February 12, 1921. Serial No. 444,557.

lo all wlwm z't may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. WI'rrER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spark Intensifiers or Superspark Builders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw- 1n s.

This invention relates to the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, and particularl to means for intenslfying the spark at t e spark gap whereby to secure a. hotter spark and better combustion.

One object of my invention is to provide a device of this character embodying a condenser and which is adapted to be used on all combustion engines using a jump spark p Agfurther object is to provide a device of this character in the form of an attachment which may be readily applied to an ignition circuit of an internal combustion engine for the purpose stated.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which igure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spark intensifier constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the glass receiver 14;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the sleeve 19;

Figures 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of the outer and inner layers of tin foil respectively;

Figure 6 is a face view of the metallic l screen or cap 27.

A Referring to these drawings, 10 designates the enclosing case of my attachment, which is hollow or tubular inform and madeof metal and which is closed at one end, as at 11, and formed with a longitudinally extending lug 12 rforated, as at 13, whereby the device mayba grounded upon an engine. This tubular member is made of thin metal and forms an enclosingcase for the other elements of the device.

Disposed within the metal tube or case 10 adjacent the closed end is a glass tube 14,

The glass tube has closedv at one end and open at the other, this glass receiver having a length approximately half that of the outer case 10. The open end of this glass tube is closed by a pug 15 of non-conducting material, this plug projecting out of the open end of the receiver 14 and having a central passage 16. tin foil 17 attached on its outside and inside faces and this tin foil extends over the closed end of the receiver. This tin foil, as shown in Figure 2, covers about two-thirds of the receiver, the o en `end of the receiver being uncovered. dhesive tape 18 is wrapped around the projecting end of the plug 15 and around the adjacent end of the glass receiver 14, as illustrated in Figure 1, and disposed. 'Within the tubular case 10 is a tube 19 of insulating material which is cemented to the tube 10,

the inner end of this insulated tube 19 fitting over that portion of the insulating and adhesive tape 18` which lits around the plug l5. This tube 19 acts to hold the receiver 14 in place and the tape band 18 acts as a cuhion for the receiver, contacting as it does withthe case l0, and also acts as a binding band to hold the plug 15 in place.

Disposed through the passage 16 of the plu 15 is a wire 20, this length of wire beinglient upon itself, as at 21, to fit the passage 16, and one extremity of the relatively short leg or bend of the wire being angularly bent, as at 22. The wire 20 and return portion 21 have an air-tight fit in the passage 16. This portion 22 prevents the wire 20 from being pulled out of the lug 15. That end of the Wire 20 remote fiiom the plu l5 is laterally deflected into Icontact wit the tin foil 17 on the inner face of the receiver 14, that'is the extremity of this wire is bent around in a circle so as to form a relatively hook-shaped lend 23 which contacts at diametrically opposite points with the tin foil which forms a lining for the receiver .14, That part of the wire 20 which projects out of the plug 15 is formed to provide an eye 24, to which is attached or with which is engaged, one end of a flexible insulated cable 25, the wires forming the core of this cable being electrically engaged with the metal forming the e e 24.

Removably disposed 1n the open end of the'insulating tube 19 `is a plug 26, through which the cable passes. The wire cable 25 between its point of attachment to the eye 24 and this plug 26 is relatively long, much longer than the length `of insulating tube 19, so that the cable may be coiled up within the tube 19 and thiscoil is held in place by the plug 26, as illustrated in Figure 1. The cable 25 passes through the plug 26, extends beyond the plug, and then the insulation of the cable is A`cut olf so as to leave the bare wire 25, as shown in Figure 1. This cable may be of any desired length, but in ordinary use will be approximately 10 in length. ,p

It will be understood that this cable 25 may be withdrawn from within the enclosing case formed by the tube 19 by simply withdrawing the plug 26, but that when it is not desired to use this cable or it is not desired to have it extend to any great length from the enclosing case, it is to be coiled up within the case, as illustrated in Figure 1, the glass tube 19 forming a receptacle within which the slack portion of the cable may be normally coiled.

It will be seen that the tubular glass receiver 14 is spaced for its entire lengthfrom the metallic casing 10, and in order to provide a contact or connection between the tin foil of the receiver 14 so as to contact with the tin foil in the outer face of this receiver and so as to contact with the metallic case or tube 10, a packing of nonconductive material, designated 28, is disposed between the end 11 of the metallic tube or case 10 and the screen 27. This is necessary because the case 10 is more or less rounded at its end, while the receiver at its end is Hat. It will be noted that the receiver 14 is grounded on themetal tube 10 by its tin foil and by the screen 27, while on the inside the wire 2O has contact with the tin foil only, the glass receiver acting as the insulator.

The sleeve 19 of insulating material is designed to hold the receiver 14 in place and also acts as extra insulation for cable 25, this insulating sleeve 19 protecting the cable from grounding if it should become damaged and come in contact with the shell when the plug' was out. The plug 15 is held in place and the inner end of the cable is supported by means of a washer or annular member 29 of glass, porcelain, hard fiber, orother insulating material. The rubber covered cable 25 has its core of fine wires and the rubber is removed where the cable is fastened to the eye 24, asgat 25". Under the jolting and jarring of an automobile, the wire at its point of junction with the terminal 20 is liable to separate from the eye 24 and cause trouble, but the insulating washer 29 supports the cable fastened at this point and tends to hold the inner end of the cable and the. eye in a central position and prevent any detachment between the l cable and this eye, and furthermore holds the plug 15 in place.

In the use of this device, the metal case 10 is connected to any suitable ground, this ground having a metallic connection with the engine. The device should be laced in a relatively cool place. The terminal wire cable 25-25a is electrically engaged with the secondary coil of an induction coil or on the distributor or on the spark plug. Of course, if used on a spark plug, there is one ot' these devices necessary for each plug. It will be understood that this device is not connected with the battery and does not receive battery current or current from the primary of the induction coil.

It will be understood that while I have illustrated anv embodiment of a condenser in which the glass tube 14 forms the dielectric, this glass tube being'lcoated upon the inside and outside with the tin foil coatings 17 I do not wish to be limited to the use of tin foil, as any other metallic coatings might be used inside and outside ot the di electric 17. Preferably I use glass for the dielectric, but do not wish to be limited to this. It will be noted that this condenser is sealed bythe plug 15 so that the condenser constitutes an' enclosed chamber for electrical waves. Theftube 19 locks the con denser in place within the outer metallic casing and also constitutes an insulating tube to protectthe conductor 25a. When in use when the condenser is assembled on thc engine, the conductor 25 with its insulating Shaft 25 is drawn out/from the chamber formed by the tube 19, the plug 26 being also withdrawn at the same time. The plug 26 is only to hold the conductor in place when coiled up in the chamber 19 for market and also protect the conductor 19 when in use. If the conductor insulation becomes broken and the conductor should be near the metallic case 10, a shortcircuit will occur and the engine will stop. Theplug 26 is merely a cork with a hole in it for plugging the end of the condenser. The condenser is sealed by the parts 15 and 29 so that it makes a perfectly enclosed chamber for electrical waves and, therefore, acts to very greatly increase the strength of the currentwhen the condenser is discharged.

I iind in actual experience that constructing the condenser in the manner stated and entirely sealing it reduces leakage nearly 10%. All high tension condensers have a relatively great leakage. It is to be also noted that the metallic case 12 is spaced at all points from the cuter tin foil covering 17, or'in other words from the condenser. This is for protection so that in case the article is dropped on a cement floor, for instance, it will not easily break. Furthermore, this outer metallic case forms 'a conlun venient means whereby the device may be mounted upon the en ine. The contact member 20 as its hookike endportion 25 resilient so that it will spring against the tin foil coating and secure -a thoroughly good contact with this coating.

1. A spark intensifier for internal combustion engines comprisin an outer metallic case having means w ereby it may be grounded to the engine, an inner, hollow, dielectric member having inner ,and outer layers of conducting material and constituting a condenser, the outer metallic case being spaced at all points from the dielectric member and its outer layer of conducting material, means for forming a metallic connection between the outer layer of conducting material and said oase, a metallic member disposed within the dielectric member but contacting ywith the inner layer of conducting material, and an insulated conductor extending from said metallic member.

2. A spark intensifier for internal combustion engines comprisin an outer metallic ease closed at one end an having means at this end whereby, it may be grounded to the engine, an inner, tubular, dielectric member closed adjacent the end of the case and having outer and inner layers of conducting material and constituting a condenser, the outer metallic case being spaced at all points from the dielectric member in its outer coating, means for forming a metallic connection between the outer layer of conducting material at the closed end of the case with said case, a plug of insulating material disposed within the dielectric member and closing its outer end, a metallic conductor extending through said plug and formed to engage the inner layer of conducting material, and an insulated conductor connected to said metallic member.

A spark intensifier for internal combustion engines comprising an outer metallic case closed at one endv and having means at this end whereby it may be grounded to the engine, an inner tubular dielectric member dis osed within the case and closed at one en the closed end of said dielectric member approximating the closed end of the case, outer and inner layers of tinfoil disposed on theouter and inner faces of the dielectric mei'nib'er, a metallic member extending over the closed end of the dielectric member and contacting with the outer layer of tinfoil and withl the case at one point, and

a tubular sleeve of non-conducting material disposed within the outer end of the case and operatively engaging the dielectric member and holding it in place.

4. A spark intensifier for internal combustion engines comprising an outer metallic case tubular in form and closed at one and having means at its closed end cing the open end of the receiver and forming a continuation thereof, a plug of insulating material in the open end of the receiver, a metallic contact member extending through said plug and supported thereby and having electrical engagement with the inner layer of tin foil, and a conductor connected to said contact member and extending out through the open end of' the insulating sleeve.

A spark intensifier for internal combustion engines comprising an outer metallic case, tubular in Jform, and closed at one end and having means at its closed end whereby it may be grounded to the engine, an inner tubular receiver of dielectric material closed at oneend, outer and inner layers of tin foil attached to the receiver for a portion of its' length, a metallic cap extending over the closed end of the receiver and having electrical engagement with the outer layer of tin foil and with the adjacent end of the metallic case, a sleeve of nonconducting material inserted within the open end of the case and operatively engaging the open end ot' the receiver and forming a continuation thereof, a plug of insulating material in the open end of the receiver, and a metallic member extending through said plug and supported therebyl and having electrical engagement with the inner layer of tin foil, said metallic meinber being adapted to` be engaged with a conductor. i

6. A spark intensifier for internal combustion engines comprising an outer tubular case of thin metal formed at one end to provide a lug' whereby it may be grounded to the engine, the olpposite end of the case being open, a tubu ar closed receiver disposedv within the case and having an integral closure at one end, the closed end of the receiver being disposed adjacent to the closed end of the case, outer and inner layers of tin foil attached to the outer and inner faces of the receiver and extending part way thcrealong from the closed end of the receiver, a metallic member extending over the closed end of the receiver and havin its margins extending over the tin foil and electrically engaged therewith, said member having electrical engagement with the case, means supporting the open end of the receiver in spaced relation to the case and inlill) sulated therefrom, a sleeve of insulating material operatively engaged with the receiver and extending to the open end of the case, an insulating block disposed within the open end of the receiver, a Wire extending through said block and bent at its inner end to contact at two vpoints with the inner layer of tin foil, and a conductor disposed withinthe outer end of the insulating sleeve and electrically connected to said wire.

7. A spark intensifier for internal combustion -engines comprising an outer tubular case of thin metal formed at one end to provide a lug whereby it may be grounded to the engine, the' opposite end of the case being v"open, a tubular` closed receiver disposed within the case and having an integral closure lat one end, the closed end of the receiver. being disposed adjacent to the closedend of the case, outer and inner layers of tin foil attached to the-outer and inner faces of the receiverand extending part way therealong-from the closed end of the receiver, a metallic member extending over 4 the closed end of the receiver and havingl its margins extending over the tin foil and electrically engaged therewith, said member having electrical en agement with the case, means supporting t e open end of the rev ceiver in spaced relation to the case and insulated therefrom, a sleeve of insulating material operatively engaged with the receiver and extending to the open end of the case, an insulating block disposed within the open end of the receiver, and a wire extending through said block and bent at its inner end to contact at two points with the inner layer of tin foil.

8. A spark tion engines comprising an outer tubular case of thin metal formed at one end to provide a lug whereby it may be grounded to the engine, the opposite end of the case being open, 'a tubular closed receiver disposed within the case and having an integral closure at one end, the closed end of the receiver being disposed adjacent to the closed end of t e case, outer and inner layers of tin foil attached to the outer and inner faces of the receiver and extending part Way th'erealong from the closed end ot the receiver, a metallic member extending over the closed end of the receiver and having its margins extending over the tin foil and electrically engaged therewith, said member having electrical engagement with the case, means supporting the open end of the receiver in spaced relation to the case and insulated therefrom,'a sleeve of insulating material operatively engaged with the receiver and extending to the open end of the case, an insulating block disposed within the open end of the receiver, a wire extendin@ through said block and bent at itsinner eni to contact at two points with the inner intensier for internal combus- `layer of tin foil, and a conductor disposed the receiver and having electrical engage-- ment with the outer layer of tin foil and with the adjacent end of the metallic case,

a sleeve of non-conducting material inserted within the open end of the case, a plug of insulating' material disposed in the open end of the receiver, a washer of insulating material disposed against the end of the plug and bearing against the non-conductive sleeve, a metallic member having an eye at one end disposed 1n the central opening of ithe washer, said metallic member extendingr through the plug and being supported thereby\ and held from retraction therefrom, the metallic member having electrical engagement with the inner layer of tin foil,and a conductor having its wires extended inward through the washer and engaged with the eye in the metallic member and extending out through the open end of the insulating sleeve. c

10. An electrical condenser including a casing and a contact member disposed therein, a tubular extension projecting from the casing, and a flexible conductor adapted to be coiled up Within the tubular extension" or to be withdrawn therefrom and connected at its inner end to said contact member, said flexible conductor carrying a plug adapted to be inserted in said tubular extension and hold the flexible conductor coiled up therein.

11. The combination with a tubular condenser including a tubular .dielectric member, a tubular casing enclosing the dielectric member, a plug closing one end of t'he dielectric member, a Contact member extending therethrough, the casing being extended on beyond the plug to form a chamber, a flexible cable connected to the other end of the contact member and ada ted to be coiled u-p within said chamber, an means for holding the flexible cable coiledup within the chamber or permitting its withdrawal therefrom'.- 12. An article of the character described.v

comprising a tubular dielectric member closed at one end, a metallicI lining on the inside of the dielectric member, a metallic covering on the outside of the dielectric member, va ground connection electrically connected to the outer covering, a contact disposed within the-dielectric member and having electrical connection with the inner coating, a lplug'closing the open end of the dielectric member and formed of insulating material and through which said contact extends,'and a conductor connected to flic end of said contact member.

13. An article of the character described comprising `a condenser including ,a tubular dielectric member having an outer and an inner metallic coating, a plug of insulating material disposed in the open end of the dielectric member, a contact member extending through the plug and having electrical engagement with the inner coating. a tubular member of non-conductive material carried by the plug and extendingtherefrom and forming an extension of the tubular dielectric member, a flexible conductive cable connected at its inner end to said contact member and adapted to be coiled within the chamber formed thereby, a plug carried by said cable and adapted to be removably disposed in the open end of the extension, and a ground connection electrically connected to the outer conductivecovering 'oi the dielectric member.

14. An article of the character described comprising a hollow, metallic casing.. an electrical condenser disposed Within the casing but spaced from the walls thereof and having a dielectric member` outer and inner metallic coatings, a metallic connection between the outer coating and said casing. a plug of non-conducting material closing the end 0f the dielectric member and engaging the metallic casing at its middle, a tubular non-conductive member disposed in the outer end of the metallic casing litting over said plug and defining a chamber` a contact 4member extending through the plug and electrically engaging the inner coating of the condenser, a flexible conductor connected to the upper end of the contact member and adapted to be coiled upwithin the said chamber, and a plug carried upon the flexible conductor and adapted to movably close the end of said chamber.

15. A device of the character described comprising a condenser consisting of a tubular dielectric member having outer and inner metallic layers, a metallic member having electrical engagement with the outer layer of the condenser and adapted to be connected to a ground, an inner contact member having electrical engagement with the inner layer of the condenser. a flexible cable connected to the outer end of the contact member. and a tubular chamber supported in connection with the condenser and forming an extensionthereof and adapted to receive and house said flexible cable.

16. A device of the character described comprising a condenser consisting of a tubular dielectric member having outer and inner .A metallic layers, a metallic member having electrical engagement with the outer layer of the condenser and adapted to be connected to a ground, an inner Contact member having electrical engagement with the inner layer of the condenser, a flexible cable connected to the outer end of the contact member, a tubular chamber supported in connection with the condenser and forming an extension thereof and adapted to receive and house said flexible cable, and a plug carried by the flexible cable and adapted to be inserted in the open end of the chamber tov close the same and hold the flexible cable coiled within the chamber.

17. In a device of the character described, a condenser comprising a tubular dielectric member having outer and inner metallic layers, a metallic member having electrical engagement at one point with the outer metallic layer and adapted to be connected to a ground, aV contact member disposed within the condenser and `having electrical engagement with the inner metallic layer, and a plug of non-conducting material closely fitting into the outer end of the dielectric member and closing the open end thereof and having an .external diameter practically the same as the external diameter of said dielectric member, the contact member extending out through said plug.

18. A device of the character described comprising a condenser consisting of a tubular member of dielectric material closed at one end, an outer and inner metallic layer applied to the dielectric member, means exterior to the condenser having contact with the outer metallic layer adjacent the closed end of the dielectric member, a plug of nonconducting material having an exterior diameter fitting closely the interior diameter of the dielectric member and being inserted for an appreciable distance therein, and a metallic contact electrically engaging the inner layer of conductive material but passing out through said plug and having airtight engagement therewith.

19. A device of the character described comprising a condenser consisting of a tubular member of dielectric material closed at one end, outer and inner metallic layers applied to the outer and inner surfaces of said dielectric'member and extending over the closed end thereof, the dielectric member extending beyond the metallic layers, a. plug of insulating material projectinginto the open end of the dielectric member and closing the same and extending beyond the dielectric member, a contact having airtight l' engagement with the plug and extending into the dielectric member and havin contact with the inner metallic layer ad acont the end of the dielectric member, sai contact member being adapted to be electrically engaged with a flexible conductor, a tubular member of non-conducting material engaged over the projecting end of the plug and extending in alignment with the condenser and forming a chamberwithin which the said flexible conductor may be disposed, and an outer metallic casing fittin the last named tubular member closel57 an supporting the same but spaced` from the dielectric member and from the outer metallic layer thereof and enclosing the condenser, said casing at one end having electrical connection to the outer metallic layer of the condenser adjacent the closed end of the condenser.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

WILLIAM s. WHTE'R.` 

